First appearing in the 1958 book A Bear Called Paddington by British Author Michael Bond, the character has become one of the most beloved in children’s literature worldwide. Famously known to be dressed in a blue duffle coat and red stained bucket hat, there is little to dislike about the well-spoken English, English-accented little bear. A polite, well-meaning, kind, and positive individual, no matter your age, there is something simply magical about Paddington Bear.
Appearing in nearly thirty original books, Paddington Bear has also been adapted into a television series (which was a Hanna-Barbera Production originally airing in 1989), been made into toys (including absolutely adorable teddy bears), and also been the subject of live-action films. A great way to keep the legacy of Paddington Bear alive for future generations, the first film in the modern series arrived in 2014, simply under the title Paddington. It was a massive hit with audiences while being nominated for several appearances. Furthermore, Paddington’s likeness was successfully transferred into a live-action film where you do not feel insulted by the graphics but are impressed that everything meshes together so well.
In this film, you are introduced to The Browns, who take Paddington in to live with them, and this cast carries over into the sequel, Paddington 2, which arrived in 2017, also to tremendously positive acclaim. Looking back at this, there were talks before Paddington 2 that StudioCanal was very interested in putting together a third Paddington film. However, five years went by before it was finally announced in the summer of 2022 that this would become a reality under the title Paddington in Peru. From here, it took another two years before it was released in the UK in November 2024. Stirring up excitement, on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2025, it looked to capture audiences’ hearts in theaters across the United States.
In the directorial debut of Douglas Wilson, the story picks up with Paddington receiving a letter from the retired bear home in Peru that Aunt Lucy is not doing so well without him. From here, Paddington and The Browns look to make a trip to Peru to visit her; however, they cross paths with a treasure-hungry Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas: The Mask of Zorro 1998, Spy Kids 2001) and his devoted daughter, Gina (Carla Tous: Three Days of Christmas series, 30 Coins series). In for a surprise, will Paddington and The Browns be in for more than they bargained for as they enter uncharted territory?
Altogether, Paddington in Peru is well-planned, and the cast plays their parts wonderfully. Many of the scenes link back to the first two movies, which leads to feelings of engagement with the characters and the overall story. They even brought back a vital character from earlier in the series. As a whole, the actors’/actresses’ portrayals are filled with emotion and depth, which is imperative for the effectiveness of the story.
There are also some very important lessons to take from Paddington in Peru. There is a scene where Aunt Lucy says to Paddington, “In finding me, you have found yourself.” This shows that in an attempt to discover yourself, you sometimes have to look beyond yourself. Furthermore, beyond Paddington, there are other characters who have this experience.
Another moral of the story is that family is more important than anything else in the world. Moreover, a family does not necessarily need to be blood-related, and sometimes, we have to be willing to let someone go because if they truly love you, they will always come back. Multiple people experience this lesson as well. This sentiment applies to everyday life.
In the end, Paddington in Peru has a bittersweet twist. After the events of this latest film, where does Paddington go from here? Where will it lead him in the fourth installment of the series, which is currently planned for sometime in 2027 or 2028? Only time will tell. Overall, Paddington in Peru is adventurous, joyful, and full of laugh-out-loud moments. That is why Cryptic Rock gives this movie 5 out of 5 stars.
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